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24 Cheshvan 5764 - November 19, 2003 | Mordecai Plaut, director Published Weekly
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NEWS
Haifa's Jaffa Road Off Limits to Kohanim
by Y. Arieli

HaRav Yechiel Yosef Bamberger, rov of Haifa's chareidi community, circulated a letter saying under the present circumstances Kohanim may not travel on Rechov Yaffo where it exits the city southward, since ancient graves were found along its length during paving work and a proper halachic solution--namely a tikkun tohoroh--has yet to be implemented.

The problem with Rechov Yaffo, considered the primary artery for southbound traffic leaving Haifa, has already been publicized on several occasions. The chareidi public has voiced its objections through large demonstrations, but the work done was hard to undo. Efforts are underway to find a halachic solution consistent with rulings issued previously by current poskim, but in the meantime the road has already been opened for use.

Based on a request by UTJ city counselor Rabbi Aryeh Blitental, a sign has been erected indicating the road is off limits to Kohanim. HaRav Bamberger's letter explains the prohibition for Kohanim in detail and writes, "Be it known that at present Kohanim may not travel on the new street opened in the lower part of the city near the old cemetery that is alongside Jaffa Road until the [problem] is rectified besiyata deShmaya."

Local rabbinical figures are currently holding meetings at various levels with Yeffei Nof, the municipal company contracted to pave the roads in Haifa, in search of a solution. Until then Kohanim must use alternative routes. If they elect to exit the city via Rechov Haatzmaut in the direction of the Egged bus station in Bat Galim, they must turn left immediately after Dagon Granaries and then right on Sederot HaMaginim.

Rabbi Blitental asked Zeev Sonenson, head of Egged's traffic department, to take immediate action to alter bus routes and to avoid placing a michshol before Kohanim. In another letter Rabbi Blitental told Mayor Yonah Yahav that when such a situation arises in other cities there are halachic ways to address the problem, such as building a proper ohel chotzetz based on directives by halachic authorities. A similar solution must be found in Haifa, he says, to allow Kohanim to use the road like every other citizen and to avoid infringing on their rights.

 

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